Texas 2036, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research and advocacy organization, said that the state must prioritize spreading awareness about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.

According to an October 1 press release issued by Texas 2036, a recently released U.S. Census report on health coverage by state showed that Texas may have shown small improvement but still is home to the highest uninsured population in the country. About five million Texans, or 16% of the population, still lack health coverage.

The release said that in 2022, Texas 2036 conducted research that determined around two million uninsured Texans, or at least 40% of the state’s uninsured population, likely qualify for free coverage through the ACA Marketplace or children’s programs like Medicaid or CHIP. According to Texas 2036, these individuals are overlooked in the discussion about decreasing the state’s uninsured rate.

Open enrollment for the ACA Marketplace is slated for November 1.